PROJECT PERRY

Mission:
Project Perry/The Central Virginia Parrot Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, and sanctuary of parrots living in captivity. Our primary mission is to provide exceptional natural environments for our residents where they can enjoy the enrichment of flight and the togetherness of flock with excellent care provided by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Parrots and other exotic birds represent the largest population of captive wildlife in the U.S., and the need to protect them continues to grow. Our impact extends beyond our residents through outreach and education -- helping to improve the lives of birds everywhere. Results:
We have 15,000 square feet dedicated to the high-quality lifetime sanctuary for over 150 birds! Target demographics:
captive birds Direct beneficiaries per year:
160 birds Geographic areas served:
the United States Programs:
onsite tours/programming, outreach/educational events, fundraisers and resources for the public to highlight the factors that necessitate our Sanctuary work.

Community Reviews

Project Perry "where birds can be birds" is realized the moment you set foot on the property. You will hear the Conures doing what Conures do best. You will think there is a video arcade in the back as all the African Greys beep, buzz, and whistle. It is a beautiful property with the sights and sounds of these wonderful birds flying in their aviaries free from the cages that they used to call a home.
Every bird has a name and a story, some are heartbreaking tales, but they have all found the closest thing to the life they were meant to have. Pictures, videos, and up dates are always on-line so you can follow the progress and lives of the residents. Quality of live is the goal. A healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with seeds and nuts, and plenty of fresh air and sunshine this is achieved.

My visit to Project Perry in 2012 was one of the most memorable and touching moments I've ever had. Being a parrot owner and general animal welfare advocate, I was looking for an organization to support, an organization that struck a chord with me and also an organization that I could trust. Project Perry is exactly that.

Upon meeting Matt, the founder, I was immediately struck by the passion he has for what he's doing and the sincerity behind the reasons why he's doing it. While generously taking time out of his very busy day to give my husband and I a tour, he could point out the names of all the different birds, tell the stories of how they got to Project Perry, and even describe a little about their different personalities. It's obvious he has a strong love for these beautiful creatures and just wants to do the right thing and give these birds as good a life as they can have in captivity. The aviaries that have been built to accomplish this are incredible, and the grounds have plenty of room for more to come.

Really, I could go on and on. I highly recommend taking a trip to see Project Perry in person. If you're anything like me, you will leave in awe and inspired by what one person with compassion and a plan can achieve.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

It is my honor to boast about one of the most dedicated organizations I have ever had the privilege to be introduced to in my years of volunteer work. I have had direct contact and a wonderful “rescue” experience with two of the volunteers devoted to Project Perry. Matt Smith and Kirah Swanson. This team has more energy and determination than anyone I have ever seen. They went above and beyond the call of duty to help our poor little Garnet and Topaz, two wild caught Greys who knew nothing but the inside of a small cage for twenty years (which unfortunately our rescue here in Wyoming was ill equipped to care for) and Project Perry allowed them to experience the “wild” they were taken from as babies. Right now Kirah is not holding an office with Perry’s but is serving as one of their busy “worker bees.” It is my belief that she, along with Matt are two of the many building blocks that create the foundation of Project Perry and encompass the talent it takes to care for these animals and make this sanctuary a place that will forever warm my heart.

Perry’s is the type of sanctuary that fulfills their commitments no matter what it takes. Even if they bite off a little more than they can chew, they press on with dedication to do what their team has promised to do. There is no place I know of who is more honest and trustworthy than the Perry’s Team.

I have worked with only a few that shares the level of enthusiasm that this sanctuary possesses. Their team is comprised of tireless workers who are not only dependable but affable as well. Their goal is success for the sanctuary and the birds. They are all making their community a better place with the sacrifice of their time and efforts through local volunteerism. Put simply, they are just people who care.

I donated money to help two Timneh Greys get from Wyoming to Project Perry in VA, they went out of their way to help these two birds that came from horrible situations and are now in a free flight aviary at Project Perry! These people are great and they need support for the wonderful things they do for these birds! I hope they win!

These guys are amazing we rescued to African grays and I talked with Matt back and fourth for about 2-3 months he worked very hard to get a grant for them at his aviary always stayed in touch with me and he got the grant and helped get them there mind you we live in Wyoming this is an amazing place and they have hearts of gold thank you so very much for every thing the grays are so happy and free of a small cage now living the best life had to offer thanks Alex Stanley

Project Perry and it's volunteers are a god send. My parrot rescue recently got in two African Greys that were severely neglected. These little greys were kept this way for 20 years. They were caught in the wild and stolen from their home. For some reason they ended up in Wyoming. After being passed from home to home, these greys were finally rescued by CWA (which is our parrot rescue in Wyoming). After months of trying to rehabilitate these angels, we decided to try and find a sanctuary for them. One of my head volunteers found Project Perry. The volunteers at Project Perry raised the money to get the greys from Wyoming to Project Perry. After they arrived they were treated like the angels they are every step of the way. After a throughout examination and vet check, the greys were released into the handicapped free flight sanctuary. The greys are now thriving, beginning to trust, and living out the rest of their days with amazing people and their own kind. The volunteers at Project Perry send us weekly updates with their progress and it's truly an amazing thing to witness. Project Perry is so deserving of any good thing that comes their way and I am forever in their debt. The kindness and compassion of this non profit organization is unmatched and rare.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

As a former United Way staff member, nonprofit special events and business manager, I have been consistently impressed with the overall professionalism and dedication of the staff and volunteers of Project Perry. This is not something that is found in most rescue operations that I have encountered.

As a parrot owner and familiar with the needs of abandoned and neglected birds, the care shown to the "residents" has proven to be unparalleled. The facilities are top-notch for the budgeting that the organization has.

The highest regard I could possible give Project Perry is to say that I would hope that my flock would find themselves in this place after I die should my family not be able to care for them.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I met Matt Smith via email while searching for ideas to build a large aviary for our birds. I sent an email with all kinds of questions after seeing his huge, beautiful Grey aviary in an online video. Matt graciously invited us up for a look around and to answer questions. The facility was amazing - very clean and well kept, and the birds seemed incredibly happy. Matt not only showed us around but gave us a ton of advice on aviary building. We are in the process of starting up our own refuge for captive birds, modeled much like Project Perry, near Raleigh NC, and thanks to Matt, we have a lot of great ideas, inspiration and helpful information. Matt has an amazing vision and he truly understands birds and wants to give them the kind of happiness they deserve. Many rescues are overwhelmed with birds and are forced to warehouse them in buildings full of cages with minimal interaction and out of cage time. Project Perry is not like that. These birds live as close to a free life as they can get and still be protected from predators (including human ones). Interactions are on their terms, and they are free to flock, fly and forage like they were created to do! If I were a bird, I would want to live there!